Guidelines for Being a Good Person Dì Zǐ Guī Translation by the Pure Land Translation Team
2013 by Pure Land College Press Some rights reserved. Reprinting is welcomed for free distribution. No part of this book may be altered without written permission from Pure Land College Press. For the latest edition, contact purelandpress@gmail.com 20 19 18 17 16 3 4 5 6 7 ISBN: 978-0-9807114-6-2 Translation by the Pure Land Translation Team Cover design by Pure Land College Press Cover illustration clipart.com Illustrations PÈtrouche - Fotolia.com The Corporation Republic of Hwa Dzan Society 2F., No. 333-1, Sec. 4, Hsin Yi Road, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. Tel : (886)-2-2754-7178 Fax : (886)-2-2754-7262 Website: www.hwadzan.com E-Mail: hwadzan@hwadzan.com Printed in Taiwan by He Yu Publication House
In deep appreciation, and with the utmost respect, this book is for our teacher Venerable Master Chin Kung
PREFACE This book is a translation of Di Zi Gui, a book of maxims that was written by ancient Chinese sages. Memorized by children when they were young, the book provided guidelines that would enable them to learn how to become good children and students and, later, good parents, friends, and citizens. In the translation, we endeavored to remain as faithful as possible to the Chinese text. At times, we chose to be less literal to make the ancient text more relevant for a modern, universal readership. And so, ink blocks and brushes became writing tools, and horses became bicycles, but the underlying principles did not change. To the casual reader, the maxims can appear to be straightforward and easy to carry out. But when trying to put them into practice, one discovers that they are anything but easy, or simple. Neither are they just for children. These principles for behavior can guide us the rest of our lives. Venerable Wuling Toowoomba, Australia
CONTENTS mù lù Outline zǒng xù 1. Respecting and Loving our Parents at Home 1 rù zé xiào 2. Interacting with Others Away from Home 6!chū zé tì 3. Being Mindful in Daily Life 10 jǐn 4. Being Trustworthy 15 xìn 5. Loving All Beings 21 fàn ài zhòng 6. Being Close to Kind and Virtuous People 27 qīn rén 7. After Doing the Above, the Arts Come Next 29 yú lì xué wén
GUIDELINES FOR BEING A GOOD PERSON Dì Zǐ Guī OUTLINE zǒng xù Di Zi Gui was written by ancient Chinese sages. It teaches us the guidelines for being a good human being. First, it teaches us to respect and love our parents, and to be kind to our siblings. Second, it teaches us how to interact with people and engage in daily tasks. dì zǐ guī shèng rén xùn shǒu xiào tì cì jǐn xìn
It also teaches us to be a trustworthy person. Furthermore, it teaches us to love all beings and to be close to kind, virtuous people. Having learned how to do all these, we can then expand our horizons by studying the arts. fàn ài zhòng ér qīn rén yǒu yú lì zé xué wén
~ 1 ~ Respecting and Loving our Parents at Home rù zé xiào When our parents call us, we should answer them right away. When they tell us to do something, we should do it promptly. fù mǔ hū yìng wù huǎn fù mǔ mìng xíng wù lǎn 1
When our parents instruct us, we should listen respectfully. When they scold us, we should sincerely accept what they say. fù mǔ jiào xū jìng tīng fù mǔ zé xū shùn chéng We should make sure that our parents are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. In the morning, we should greet them and show them that we care. At night, we should make sure that they are resting comfortably. dōng zé wēn xià zé jìng chén zé xǐng hūn zé dìng Before going out, we should let our parents know. When we return, we should tell them that we are back. We should lead a routine life, and we should not be constantly changing our mind in whatever we do. chū bì gù fǎn bì miàn jū yǒu cháng yè wú biàn 2
Even when a matter is trivial, we should not act without permission or just do as we please. If we do so, then we are no longer a dutiful child. shì suī xiǎo wù shàn wéi gǒu shàn wéi zǐ dào kuī We should not hide any possession, no matter how small, from our parents. If we do, they will feel hurt. wù suī xiǎo wù sī cáng gǒu sī cáng qīn xīn shāng When something pleases our parents [and is proper], we should try our best to provide it for them. When something displeases them, we should remove it. qīn suǒ hào lì wèi jù qīn suǒ wù jǐn wèi qù If we injure ourselves, we will make our parents worry. If we do something unvirtuous, they will feel ashamed. shēn yǒu shāng yí qīn yōu dé yǒu shāng yí qīn xiū 3
When our parents love us, it is easy to be respectful and loving. When they do not love us, respecting and loving them means we have a noble heart. qīn ài wǒ xiào hé nán qīn zēng wǒ xiào fāng xián If our parents do something wrong, we should urge them to change. Do so with a kind expression and caring voice. qīn yǒu guò jiàn shǐ gēng yí wú sè róu wú shēng Should our parents not accept our advice, try again when they are in a better mood. If they still do not listen, our sincere tears will show them how deeply we care. Should they get angry with us, do not hold it against them. jiàn bú rù yuè fù jiàn háo qì suí tà wú yuàn 4
When our parents are ill, we should make sure that they take the right medicine. Care for them night and day, and do not leave them alone. qīn yǒu jí yào xiān cháng zhòu yè shì bù lí chuáng For three years after our parent s passing, we should remember them in sadness. We should live simply and not adorn our home. Avoid merry-making, meat, and alcohol. sāng sān nián cháng bēi yè jū chù biàn jiǔ ròu jué We should arrange our parent s funeral in a proper manner. We should always honor them as if they were still alive and, especially on the anniversary of their death, remember them with a sincere heart. sāng jìn lǐ jì jìn chéng shì sǐ zhě rú shì shēng 5
~ 2 ~ Interacting with Others Away from Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!chū zé tì Older siblings should love and care for the younger ones; younger siblings should love and respect the older ones. Getting along well with one s siblings is a sign of respecting one s parents and caring that they are happy. xiōng dào yǒu dì dào gōng xiōng dì mù xiào zài zhōng 6
When siblings value family ties more than possessions, resentment will not arise. When siblings are careful with their words, feelings of anger naturally dissolve. cái wù qīng yuàn hé shēng yán yǔ rěn fèn zì mǐn When drinking, eating, walking, or sitting, let elders do so first; younger ones follow. huò yǐn shí huò zuò zǒu zhǎng zhě xiān yòu zhě hòu When an elder is asking for someone, find that person right away. If we cannot find that person, we should immediately report back and ask if we can help instead. zhǎng hū rén jí dài jiào rén bú zài jǐ jí dào 7
When addressing elders, do not call them by their first name. When in the presence of elders, do not show off. chēng zūn zhǎng wù hū míng duì zūn zhǎng wù xiàn néng When meeting elders whom we know, greet them promptly and respectfully. If they do not greet us in return, respectfully stand aside. lù yù zhǎng jí qū yī zhǎng wú yán tuì gōng lì If we are in a vehicle and see an elder whom we know passing by, we should get out and greet the person [if the situation safely allows]. We continue on our way only after the elder has left us. qí xià mǎ chéng xià jū guò yóu dài bǎi bù yú When an elder is standing, do not sit. After an elder sits down, sit only when invited to do so. zhǎng zhě lì yòu wù zuò zhǎng zhě zuò mìng nǎi zuò 8
Before an elder, speak softly. But if our voice is too low and hard to hear, we are being improper. zūn zhǎng qián shēng yào dī dī bù wén què fēi yí When meeting elders, walk briskly towards them; when leaving, do not do so in haste. When answering a question, look attentively at the person. jìn bì qū tuì bì chí wèn qǐ duì shì wù yí We should regard our aunts and uncles as if they were our parents, and our cousins as if they were our siblings. shì zhū fù rú shì fù shì zhū xiōng rú shì xiōng 9
~ 3 ~ Being Mindful in Daily Life jǐn Get up early and go to bed at a reasonable time. Knowing how time flies, we should treasure every day. zhāo qǐ zǎo yè mián chí lǎo yì zhì xí cǐ shí 10
When we get up, we should wash our face and brush our teeth. After using the toilet, we should always wash our hands. chén bì guàn jiān shù kǒu biàn niào huí zhé jìng shǒu Our hat should be properly put on, clothing correctly buttoned, and socks and shoes neatly worn. guān bì zhèng niǔ bì jié wà yǔ lǚ jù jǐn qiè We should put our clothes away in their proper places. We should not leave them lying around for they will get dirty that way. zhì guān fú yǒu dìng wèi wù luàn dùn zhì wū huì It is more important that our clothes be neat and clean than fashionable and expensive. We should wear what is suitable and appropriate for our age, and within our family s means. yī guì jié bú guì huá shàng xún fèn xià chèn jiā 11
When eating and drinking, do not be fussy. Eat only the right amount; do not overeat. duì yǐn shí wù jiǎn zé shí shì kě wù guò zé When we are young, we should not drink alcohol. The behavior of those who are drunk is unsightly. nián fāng shào wù yǐn jiǔ yǐn jiǔ zuì zuì wéi chǒu Walk in an unhurried manner and always stand up straight. Whether greeting friends or elders, do so properly and with respect. bù cōng róng lì duān zhèng yī shēn yuán bài gōng jìng Do not step on doorsills or stand leaning on one leg. When sitting, do not sprawl or fidget. wù jiàn yù wù bì yǐ wù jī jù wù yáo bì 12
When entering a room, we should open the door quietly. When walking, we should be aware of our surroundings so as not to bump into anything. huǎn jiē lián wù yǒu shēng kuān zhuǎn wān wù chù léng Hold empty containers just as carefully as if they were full. Enter empty rooms as if they were occupied. zhí xū qì rú zhí yíng rù xū shì rú yǒu rén Avoid doing things in a hurry, since acting in haste will lead to many mistakes. Do not be afraid of a task that is difficult or become careless when a job is easy. shì wù máng máng duō cuò wù wèi nán wù qīng lüè Keep away from rowdy places. Do not be curious about things that are bad or unusual. dòu nào chǎng jué wù jìn xié pì shì jué wù wèn 13
When we are about to enter a house, we should ask if anyone is inside. As we enter, we should make ourselves heard. jiāng rù mén wèn shú cún jiāng shàng táng shēng bì yáng If someone asks who it is, we should say our name, not me because such a reply is not clear. rén wèn shéi duì yǐ míng wú yǔ wǒ bù fēn míng Before using something that belongs to another, we should ask for permission. If we do not ask, it is stealing. yòng rén wù xū míng qiú tǎng bú wèn jí wéi tōu After we borrow from others, we should return the items on time. Later, if we have an urgent need, we will be able to easily borrow from them again. jiè rén wù jí shí huán hòu yǒu jí jiè bù nán 14
~ 4 ~ Being Trustworthy xìn When we speak, honesty counts the most. Deceit and lies are unacceptable. fán chū yán xìn wéi xiān zhà yǔ wàng xī kě yān 15
It is better to talk a little than chat too much. Tell the truth; do not speak insincerely. huà shuō duō bù rú shǎo wéi qí shì wù nìng qiǎo Cunning, deceptive speech and foul language should never be used. We should never conduct ourselves in an unruly manner. jiān qiǎo yǔ huì wū cí shì jǐng qì qiè jiè zhī We should not readily talk about something we have not seen for it may not be the whole truth. We should not readily pass on to others what we do not know for sure. jiàn wèi zhēn wù qīng yán zhī wèi dì wù qīng chuán 16
If someone asks us to do something and we are not sure whether it is appropriate, we should not carelessly promise. If we do promise to do something [and it is inappropriate], we will be wrong whether we keep or break our promise. shì fēi yí wù qīng nuò gǒu qīng nuò jìn tuì cuò When speaking, say each word unhurriedly, clearly, and correctly. Do not mumble or talk too fast. fán dào zì zhòng qiě shū wù jí jí wù mó hú Some people like to gossip and comment about the faults or good points of others. But if something does not concern us, we should not get involved. bǐ shuō cháng cǐ shuō duǎn bù guān jǐ mò xián guǎn 17
When we see the goodness of others, we should encourage ourselves to learn from them. Even if we are far behind them, gradually we will achieve as they have. jiàn rén shàn jí sī qí zòng qù yuǎn yǐ jiàn jī When we see the faults of others, we should reflect on our own behavior. If we have the same fault, correct it. If we do not have this fault, we should always be alert and not make the same mistake. jiàn rén è jí nèi xǐng yǒu zé gǎi wú jiā jǐng When our morals, knowledge, and skills are not as good as those of others, we should encourage ourselves to try harder. wéi dé xué wéi cái yì bù rú rén dāng zì lì 18
If the clothes we wear and the food we eat are not as good as what others have, do not feel sad. ruò yī fú ruò yǐn shí bù rú rén wù shēng qī If criticism makes us angry and compliments make us happy, we will attract bad company, while good friends will leave us. wén guò nù wén yù lè sǔn yǒu lái yì yǒu què If we are appreciative of criticism and uneasy with compliments, people who are virtuous, sincere, and trustworthy will gradually become our friends. wén yù kǒng wén guò xīn zhí liàng shì jiàn xiāng qīn If we accidentally make a mistake, it is only an error. But if we do it on purpose,it is definitely wrong. wú xīn fēi míng wéi cuò yǒu xīn fēi míng wéi è 19
If we correct our faults and mistakes and do not repeat them, then they will cease. But if we try to cover them up, we will be doubly wrong. guò néng gǎi guī yú wú tǎng yǎn shì zēng yì gū 20
~ 5 ~ Loving All Beings fàn ài zhòng Love all beings, for we all live under the same sky and are supported by the same earth. fán shì rén ji x ài ti n tóng fù dì tóng zài 21
A person of good character is highly respected. Respect is not based on external appearances. xìng gāo zhě míng zì gāo rén suǒ zhòng fēi mào gāo A capable person will naturally have a good reputation. People are not won over by boasting or self-praise. cái dà zhě wàng zì dà rén suǒ fú fēi yán dà If we are good at something, we should be willing to use that ability to benefit others. When we feel others are more competent than us, we should not criticize or slander them for being so. jǐ yǒu néng wù zì sī rén suǒ néng wù qīng zǐ Neither flatter the rich nor despise the poor. Neither ignore old friends nor take delight in only new ones. wù chǎn fù wù jiāo pín wù yàn gù wù xǐ xīn 22
When others are busy, do not bother them. When they are troubled, do not make things worse by talking unnecessarily. rén bù xián wù shì jiǎo rén bù ān wù huà rǎo We should neither expose the shortcomings of others nor disclose their private matters. rén yǒu duǎn qiè mò jiē rén yǒu sī qiè mò shuō It is good to praise the virtuous actions of others. Knowing that they are being praised, people will be encouraged to do better. dào rén shàn jí shì shàn rén zhī zhī yù sī miǎn Gossiping about the wrongdoings of others is in itself wrong. When we slander another excessively, we too will suffer harm and great misfortune. yáng rén è jí shì è jí zhī shèn huò qiě zuò 23
By mutually encouraging one another to do good, both of us will improve our characters. By not advising one another to correct our respective faults, our characters will diminish. shàn xiāng quàn dé jiē jiàn guò bù guī dào liǎng kuī When giving and receiving, we should be clear in what we are doing. It is better to give more and receive less. fán qǔ yǔ guì fēn xiǎo yǔ yí duō qǔ yí shǎo Before we ask others to do something, we should first ask ourselves if we would do it. If not, then we should not ask others to do it. jiāng jiā rén xiān wèn jǐ jǐ bú yù jí sù yǐ 24
We should repay the kindness of others; we should let go of our anger. Spend less time holding grudges and more time repaying kindness. ēn yù bào yuàn yù wàng bào yuàn duǎn bào ēn cháng When we interact with people who serve us, we should act in ways that inspire respect. And while being dignified and proper is important, it is also important to be kind and generous. dài bì pú shēn guì duān suī guì duān cí ér kuān 25
If we force others to do as we wish, they will silently rebel. But if we convince them with sound reasoning, they will happily agree without complaining. shì fú rén xīn bù rán lǐ fú rén fāng wú yán 26
~ 6 ~ Being Close to Kind and Virtuous People qīn rén We are all human beings, but we are not the same. Most of us are ordinary; only a few of us are kind and virtuous. tóng shì rén lèi bù qí liú sú zhòng rén zhě xī 27
Truly virtuous people are held in awe by others. They are not afraid to speak the truth, and they do not fawn on others. guǒ rén zhě rén duō wèi yán bú huì sè bú mèi If we associate with and learn from people of great virtue, we will benefit greatly. Day by day our own virtues will grow and our faults will lessen. néng qīn rén wú xiàn hǎo dé rì jìn guò rì shǎo If we do not associate with and learn from these people, we will suffer a great loss. We will attract people without virtue, and nothing we do will succeed. bù qīn rén wú xiàn hài xiǎo rén jìn bǎi shì huài 28
~ 7 ~ After Doing the Above, the Arts Come Next yú lì xué wén If we acquire knowledge but do not sincerely apply what we have learned, we will have only increased our conceit. What then will we become? bú lì xíng dàn xué wén zhǎng fú huá chéng hé rén 29
If we are sincere in what we are doing but not acquiring knowledge, we will only be stubbornly following our viewpoints. We will never see the truth. dàn lì xíng bù xué wén rèn j jiàn mèi l zh n When studying, our mind, eyes, and mouth must be focused on our learning. All three must be wholeheartedly dedicated to learning. dú sh f y u s n dào x n y n k u xìn ji yào When reading a book, do not contemplate another. If we have not completed one, do not start another. f ng dú c wù mù b c wèi zh ng b wù q In our studies, we should set a reasonable timetable and then study hard. With enough time and effort, we will thoroughly understand the text. ku n wéi xiàn j n yòng g ng g ng f dào zhì sè t ng 30
If we have a question, we should make a note of it. Then ask someone who knows the answer. xīn yǒu yí suí zhá jì jiù rén wèn qiú què yì We should keep our room clean, our desk tidy, and our pens and pencils in their proper places. fáng shì qīng qiáng bì jìng jī àn jié bǐ yàn zhèng If we do not properly care for our writing tools, it shows carelessness. If our words are written sloppily, it shows disrespect. mò mó piān xīn bù duān zì bú jìng xīn xiān bìng Books should be organized and placed on the bookshelves in their proper places. After reading a book, we should put it back where it belongs. liè diǎn jí yǒu dìng chù dú kàn bì huán yuán chù 31
Even when in a hurry, we should carefully put our book away. If it is damaged, we should repair it. suī yǒu jí juàn shù qí yǒu quē huài jiù bǔ zhī Do not read books that are untruthful or immoral, for these will block our wisdom and undermine our aspirations. fēi shèng shū bǐng wù shì bì cōng míng huài xīn zhì We should not, because of our arrogance, harm ourselves by doing something improper. We should not, because of our lack of confidence, give up on ourselves. With effort, we will gradually become a noble person. wù zì bào wù zì qì shèng yǔ xián kě xún zhì 32
DEDICATION OF MERIT May the goodness from this book help to lessen the suffering of all beings and enable them to find lasting happiness.
Please visit www.howwillibehavetoday.org for the accompanying story book for Guidelines for Being a Good Person and www.purelandcollege.org for a list of Pure Land centers and Amitabha Buddhist societies. This book is provided with the compliments of